Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort will host the first round of its new mid-week race series, the Full Suspension Mountain Bike Series, Thursday July 19 at 6 p.m.
“This series of four races is a fun way to showcase Snowbird’s new single track mountain bike trails,” said Dave Fields, vice president of Resort Operations at Snowbird.
Participants will race a 5-mile loop consisting of 80 percent single-track and about 600 feet of climbing. The series offers four classes for men and three for women. The pro and expert classes will race three laps on the course totaling 15 miles. The sport classes will do two laps, and the beginner classes will do one lap.
Troy Duffin, owner of Alpine Trails, designed and constructed the trail system at Snowbird over the past two years. Duffin said he has worked on many trail projects in Utah, but what makes this project different are the granite boulders incorporated into the trail - even directing riders over the boulders in some places.
'We built those as bi-directional trails,' Duffin said. 'What's nice about those is a race course director can choose either direction and have it work great.'
The title sponsor, Squatters Pub and Beers, will offer each racer a complimentary Full Suspension Pale Ale or Squatters Brewhouse Root Beer. Prizes will also include tram tickets and summer activity passes at Snowbird.
Registration for the event starts at 5 p.m. and is $20 for each racer. The remaining three rounds of the series will take place the following three Thursday's with the final round August 9. Racers and trail users alike can check out the Snowbird website for a map of the hiking and biking trails.
Snowbird offers many summer activities, not just mountain biking and hiking. Visitors can experience the Aerial Tram, Alpine Slide, Peruvian Chairlift and tunnel, Mountain Flyer, a climbing wall, bungee trampolines, a ropes course, Air Jumper and even a mechanical bull.